Transgender Youth Have the Right to an Education

GLAD Statement in Response to DOJ Action on Transgender Students

At the end of last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion with a federal appeals court signaling the agency’s retreat from the previous administration’s vigorous efforts to protect transgender students’ rights to equal treatment in schools.

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) expressed deep concern about this legal development and, specifically, what it means about the Department of Education’s commitment to protecting all students, including transgender students.

“Whatever next steps this administration takes, we stand ready to go to court and fight for transgender students’ rights to equal educational opportunities. No shift in federal agency strategy or policy changes the fact that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws including Title IX, and a growing number of state laws and local school policies protect the rights of transgender students.

“Transgender youth, like all youth, have the right to an education. That includes a fully inclusive educational environment with access to the same facilities, and opportunities, as all other students.

“GLAD will continue to stand with students and their families to assert their rights and ensure that schools meet their responsibility to support and affirm transgender students.”